Girls night out After lunch Quistis hurried back to her room recover the Fujin’s jacket. "Dumbass you cant do anything right lately." She stood at the door and looking for her key frantically. "Gone." She moaned and banged her head on the door. "Quisty?" Quistis shuttered visibly and looked over her shoulder. Selphie stood beaming brightly with Irvine smiling like a idiot behind her. "Oh no..." Quistis started, shaking her head with much determination "Not now Selphie." "Yup." Selphie nodded vigorously and giggled. "If ya don’t Irvine will carry you." Irvine nodded and folded his arms smiling. "Oh you two, any time but now please." Quistis pleaded weakly. "My rooms a mess, I’ve locked myself out, I had a rough night and I have this stupid student roster to fill out. " She said hopefully, holding up as if to fend them off. Selphie stood on her tiptoes to regard the form. "Hmmm... Yoink!" She snapped the roster from her and flipped it over to Irvine. With a wink he snatched it out of the air then strode off. "But!?" Quistis spouted feebly. Selphie beamed merrily and rocked back on her heels. "That’s taken care of what’s else is your problem." Quistis slumped and thumbed at the door. Selphie dug in her pockets and produced a set of keys. "Zoink! Ya left em at the party." Quistis took them grimily and unlocked the door. Selphie was inside before she got the keys out of the latch. "So Quistis what have you been up to lately? You’ve been such a doom and gloomer lately. I decided to make it my mission no matter the costs to life, limb and property to see that you! Quistis Trepe have a good time." Selphie strode to the window and pulled the shade. "By Hyne’s grace its dark in here, let some light in once and awhile. Your poor tree is gonna die if you don’t. I just cannot allow such blatant disregard for plant welfare. Don’t make me scold you." She then promptly vanished into the bedroom. Quistis stood in dumbfounded daze. "You slob you didn’t make your bed! Remember a clean home is a happy home." The frantic girl had the bed made by time Quistis made it to he bedroom door. Selphie leaned down and picked up Fujin’s Jacket. "Ohhhh I didn’t know you had one of these uniforms? A little short for you don’t you think?" She giggled and slipped it on; it engulfed her. "When did you get this? Eww smells like you slept in it though, like old wine and feet." Quistis scowled. "Hey?" Selphie shoved past her and back into the main room. She then vanished into the nearest closet and pulled out a vacuum. Quickly plugging it in she switched it on and buzzed around the entire apartment. "Our first trip we are going into town we are heading south soon so its going to get hot and you my dear are sorely getting out fashion. No offense." Quistis looked aghast. "Hey I buy my stuff straight from the Lockheart catalogue." Selphie winked and pointed at her. "Yes but when was the last time you went shopping.." Quistis frowned. She had no idea. Selphie left her stammering and tossed the vacuum in the closet. She then leapt to the center of the living room. "There done." She pirouetted merrily. Then she slid out of the Jacket. "This is too short for you now, can I have it." She asked hopefully. Quistis shook her head. "Sorry Selph no can do." "I’ll buy it from you then they’re hard to come by a real limited edition. Only other one I seen belong to that she devil Fujin. GRRRR FIRE BAD!" Selphie bellowed with outstretched arms as she tottered around the room like a deranged zombie. "Her names Fujin and sorry cant sell it." Quistis said quietly. "No worries. You ready?" Selphie said handing the jacket over. "Sure I guess, I have to drop this off at the cleaners first though." She said regarding the Jacket. She was somewhat put off by Selphie’s mockery but chose to remain silent. ******************* Fujin sat in the eerie chamber that used to house Norg, she was given permission to convert it to her quarters by Squall and Cid, the only ones who knew. They agreed all to quickly, most likely to keep the risk of fights down between her and others. No one understood. She sat naked in near silence on the edge of her bed. Still wet from her shower she dried her hair lazily as she listened to the droning of the ship’s engines. She found the hum comforting and the spectral beauty of the chamber put her at ease. The circular room glimmered with a glow much like light reflecting off water at night. She ran her fingers along the black satin sheets noticing the contrast against her milky white flesh and the cold ebony cloth. With a sigh she slumped forward and closed her eyes. A cool breeze filtered though the chamber making the many silk drapes adorning the room dance like chromatic spider webs. She looked down at her hands, they where small but strong, marred from battle and tough like leather. She hated them, she used to have pretty hands, delicate like snow, but that was longtime ago. She was different then, naïve, filled with the foolish dreams all little girls had in their youth. She looked down at her body. She was short and slender but powerfully toned with graceful lines like a great cat. Thankfully she kept her curves even with the heavy training. Not that it mattered though. She thought bitterly, she gave up long ago trying to look pretty. An albino from birth, and mute for half her life, she was tiny and weak as a young girl and children can be cruel. She’d learned many harsh lessons at the hands of others. Teased ruthlessly even at the orphanage. She had no friends except her younger brother Raijin, the big hearted fool. Hyne bless him, he took up for her when he could. Then somehow without either of us noticing the roles reversed. She took all her anger and turned it into strength she made herself get strong. Then came Seifer and it all fell together. He was older than her and was a sight to behold even as a child. He was Bold and cunning and she admired him for it. She learned from him. She became even stronger. With she, Seifer and her brother Rajin they became a team a family. Later when they matured she even allowed her self to dream of him. Though she never dared to share her desires, she knew better. To him she was one of the boys and she knew he could never see her otherwise. She was content to stand by him to the end. Why did he leave? Even her brother had vanished did they hate her? She felt weak at the thought. She bit her lip and buried her fears quickly before they gained strength. Where are they now she wondered? It doesn’t matter she told herself. If she learned anything its not to depend on others sometimes you have to go it alone. "I don’t need them, I don’t need anyone." She lied to herself. She sat in silence, her hair dancing in the breeze across her expressionless face . She lost track of how long she stayed secluded in though, before her mind drifted back to her brief encounter with Quistis. "Why think about her and why now?" She wondered. She remembered her breakdown, how she collapsed and sobbed. Fujin couldn’t remember the last time she cried herself. She banished the line of thought abruptly and stood her body protested loudly causing her hiss. The shower had helped but she had really overdone it at the gym. Although knocking that idiot cold made her feel a little better. She quickly finished drying her hair and went to get dressed. ************************* A multitude of bag in tow Quistis looked about. It was getting dark, she hadn’t realized they had been out so long. She sighed and walked solemnly behind Selphie, who was skipped along ahead of her. Quistis hated Galbania, Squall never knew how close she, Selphie and Zell came to ruining the mission to assassinate Edea. "Not that it matter we still lost in the end." She mused to herself sarcastically Still the place was bad news, but Selphie wanted to shop so by Hyne how could she say no. "Simple enough you goof." She chided herself. "You say Selphie thanks for tying but I’m not in the mood." "Yeah right then its quickly followed by tears and sulking and guilt tripping. That’s the last thing I need." Selphie skipped ahead keenly aware of her friends inner debate. "Quistis?" She said simply, all the while still frolicking along. "Yes Selph." She absently. "Do you trust me?" "Of course Selph." Quistis droned on automatic. "Really?" "Honestly. Selph" "Ya know I only want what’s best for you right?" "I know Selph." "Quistis?" "Yes Selph." She sighed. "You need to get laid." "Yes Selph." Quistis stopped and blinked. "Hey wait a minute!" "Good we are agreed!" Selphie beamed brightly as she and pointed. A large neon sign hanged over hear head that said "The El Ravager Strip Club" Quistis screamed. Rinoa sat with her head her on table at the cafeteria. She watched transfixed as condensation slide down the side of the glass bowl containing a sundae the size of her head. She peeked around the curve of the glass to see a gaudy silver belt buckle and suede jean. "Hey Irvine." She said dunking her spoon into the sundae with dull enthusiasm. "Hi yourself little lady may I join you? Beauty such as yours should never dine alone." Rinoa rolled her eyes at him and grinned. "Well Irvine Ah do declare ya’ll do have such ah way with words." She fluttered at him in a southern drawl. Irvine smiled a dashing smile and nodded at the quickly melting sundae. "Ya gonna eat that all by your lonesome or just watch it turn to slush." "I dunno." She mused slipping a spoonful in her mouth. Irvine grinned broadly and leaned back in his chair. "Well Selphie is out with Quistis. Hyne knows what they are doin." Rinoa grinned past her spoon then waved it at him smartly. "Sorry Irv I’m not spilling the beans." Irvine looked downright hurt. "You wound me lil girl. I would never ask you to betray my sweet Selphie’s trust like that.." Rinoa nearly choked laughing. "Yeah whatever, grab a spoon and help me finish this beast." "Righty then." He leaned back and grabbed a clean spoon from the nearby container then plopped forward the legs of the chair clacking audibly. "Don’t break the chairs Irvine. Doris about laid a chocobo last time." "Ah she loves me, she’s just jealous cause my heart goes out to my one and only. Unless of course you’re taken by my dashing charm and good looks." Rinoa giggled at he boldness and blushed. "You’re amazing you know that." "Yeah so I’ve been told." He said smartly and tilted his hat. "Ack! you!" She flipped a spoonful of ice cream at him. "Aw hey now" "Hey Guys!" Zell chirped brightly as he clapped Kinneas on the shoulder making him fumble his spoon. "Aw shoot." "Sorry guy did I scare yah?" Zell said apologetically. "Sall right, just trying to make nice with the lady here." "Pull up a seat Zell the more the merrier." Rinoa offered, she motioned to the sundae "Grab a spoon." Zell never one to pass up food grabbed a spoon spun a chair backwards and sat down. "Where’s everyone at? I’m getting kinda bored, Nicole went to Galbania to do some shopping." Rinoa coughed awkwardly and dabbed her lips with a napkin. Irvine glanced her way and nodded to himself. "Squall’s sulking again he’s off in the training area beating himself with a stick or something." She offered sarcastically. "Oh that’s nice." Zell shrugged. "Selph n Quisty are on a girls night out shopping." Irvine mumbled around a mouthful of Ice cream. "Hey sweet perhaps they will run into Nicole." Zell grinned then leaned close to elbow Irvine. "If we’re lucky they will come back with something slinky." Zell said devilishly, Irvine guffawed under his hat and flashed his perfect smile. "If we are lucky." "Ahem." The two looked up at Rinoa who glared at them like the matron of a nunnery. "Sorry ma’am." Irvine mumbled "Yeah er sorry Rinoa" Zell coughed sheepishly. "You boys will never grow up will you." She said with a bit of humor. "Hell darlin what’s the fun in that." Irvine offered and pulled his hat down smartly. "To true to true." Zell nodded in agreement. "Ugh" Rinoa grinned and dunked her spoon into the sundae. ************************* The garden had left the frozen wastes early this morning and had arrived at Galbania just a few hours ago. Nearly everyone had gone into town for shore leave. Fujin however was quickly driving herself nuts. She’d been back for about four months and was going stir crazy. She missed having a purpose and goals. She now spent her days training and studying and very little more. Seifer and Rajin had left her alone and she hated it. She told herself all the while she needed no one. She’d actually convinced herself of too, that is until last night. She realized no one had said more than two words to her since she returned except Quistis. No one trusted her and everyone hated her. "Why should they trust me?" She thought grimly. She betrayed others and nearly helped a witch destroy the world. She found herself outside. Standing by the main gate of the Garden. She could see lights of Galbania from here. A breeze whistled through her. It was still chilly outside even though they had moved from the northern regions. She thought about her jacket and her thoughts drifted once again to Quistis. She wondered where she was. "Why do I care?" Again the question popped into her head like a neon light. Her head hurt now and she frowned. She looked out over the horizon at the soft glow of the city and hopped up the wall to watch the passerby’s. A few boys ran to the stairs leading to the Gardens entrance. They where carrying skateboards after a session of friendly jostling they began practicing tricks off the railings. The noise was annoying and they scuffed up the rails with paint and dings as they slid down them on the boards. Fujin’s first thought was to confiscate the boards and write them up. The thought was fleeting however. That was the old Fujin, the one that matter. She sighed in annoyance she hated when bashed herself. She decided to just relax and watch the world drift by. She lay down on the wall and looked up at the sky. After about a hour or so it began to get dark. Soon the exterior lights came on and not long after the curfew bell rang. The skate-boarders moaned in protest as they gathered their things and ran back inside. She felt pretty good considering. The cool air did wonders for her she inhaled deeply and closed her eyes. She was caught completely by surprise when a large hand grabbed her by the face, snatched her off the wall and into the bushes. ************************* Quistis looked up at the sign and balked. "I will not go in there." She emphasized each word firmly. Selphie pulled her arms with all her might. "Quistis you’re being difficult relax and have fun." She pleaded as she ran around behind the other woman and attempted shove her through the door. "No Selphie!" "Quistis you’re making a scene. Let’s just go inside pleeeeease." "You’re the one making a scene." "Come on be fair." "Be fair? You’re the one trying to get me into some seedy strip club. You should be ashamed. What would Irvine think." Selphie looked up with big brown eyes pleadingly. Quistis made a face. "You know you want to, Quisty deep down there’s a girl that likes to party! "You’re deranged." Quistis said simply with arched eyebrows. "You love me and you know it." She smiled cutely. "Now let’s go get em!" "Selphie I will make a deal with you." "Okay now we’re cooking" "I go in here. For fifteen minutes." "Fifteen minutes? You can hardly see anything in fifteen minutes." "How would you know?" "Umm.." "Never mind." Quistis rolled her eyes as thoughts of Selphie putting money in g-strings with her teeth danced in head. "Like I said, fifteen minutes and after which if I want to go we will. Okay? No fuss no arguments. Deal?" Selphie pouted. "Selphie." Quistis used her instructor tone. "Oh fine then." Selphie said pouting still. She emphasized her displeasure with the idea by sticking her tongue out at her. "Nice. Let’s go see what hell your dragging me to." "Don’t be like that Quistis just enjoy the show." Selphie bounded up to the front desk and handed over credit card. "Table for two please." "Make that three!" A voice shouted. Quistis and Selphie exchanged looks as Nicole pushed her way towards them. She was out of breath and grinning like a fool. "Nicky!" Selphie smiled wildly and hugged the girl. "Nicole? What are you doing here I would never thought you would come to a place like this." Quistis said in shock "Your one to talk Miss Trepe." Nicole said laughingly as she brushed her auburn locks from her face. "I saw you while crossing the street. So I ran over here to catch you." "Well join the gang. We’re trying to get Quistis laid." Selphie said bluntly before exploding into laughter. "Selphie!!" Quistis shouted turning red with embarrassment. "What’s the matter with you?" Nicole stood slack jawed and blushing as well. Selphie shrunk back a bit and smiled meekly. "Sorry Quistis just trying to liven everyone up." She looked at the dashing fellow in the booth who was clad only in a bow tie and loincloth. She slid her card to him. "Three please." She said bouncily. The man looked at her with bemused indifference. "A little young aren’t we miss." He said flatly. "Oh you got to be kidding me." Selphie said indignantly. "Eighteen to enter twenty one for the bar miss" "Hey I turned nineteen just last month." "Uh huh sure you did." "Why you!" Selphie angrily fished in her pockets looking for Garden I.D. Quistis quietly pleaded with the heavens that she lost it. Nicole stood grinning as she watched several choice gentlemen walking about inside. "AHAH!" Selphie shouted victoriously pulling the card forth She slapped it on the counter and slid it to him proudly. The doormen glanced at it then back at Selphie. She smiled brightly and stood as tall and proud as she could. "Well it’s you." He said dully then put the card in his drawer. Then he folded his arms. Selphie’s smile melted slightly. "Um what are you doing." "You’re a SEED?" He said arching a brow at her. "Sure am, give me my card." Selphie said standing proud once more. "Sure you are." He laughed. "What?" Selphie snapped her head sideways at him cat like. "Yeah and I’m um what’s his name Squall Lionhead." "Why you!" Selphie tried to leap through the booth at him. Quistis reacted immediately and grabbed her up and lifted her away. "Whoa! There easy Selphie!" She said as held her. Nicole backed up from the flailing mass arms and legs that used to be Selphie. A stream of obscenities that would make Zell blush burst forth from the small woman. "Omigod!" Nicole laughed. Quistis stood holding her hissing, spitting parcel in horror. She quickly broke into laughter also. The doorman wasn’t amused in the least and had them escorted outside. A few moments later, they sat on the curb. Nicole still teetered quietly as Quistis sat with her arm around Selphie’s shoulders grinning gleefully. Selphie sat stewing, her legs drawn up to her chest and head buried in her knees. She glared hotly across the street at the NightClub. She mumbled something about Ultima and Bahumut between incoherent cursing. Quistis smiled down at her friend eyes dancing with mirth. "Don’t worry Selph we can get you a new card no problem." Selphie mumbled darkly.
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